58 h. ago 996 work culture is sad and inhumane. Whatever’s wrong with 888 – or even 000? | Emma Beddington

Silicon Valley is keen, once more, on a working pattern of 12-hour days, six days a week. It really is time for a new approach ...My current cultural comfort food is The Gilded Age, Julian Fellowes’ deeply silly Manhattan toffs-in-bustles drama, in which one storyline (summarily dealt with due to lack of taffeta-rustling opportunities, I suspect) features a tycoon’s downtrodden steelworkers going on strike for “888”: eight hours each of work, sleep and recreation.That wasn’t a revolutionary demand in the 1880s. The slogan, coined by the utopian social reformer Robert Owen, dates from 1817 (his New Lanark mill workers still did 10.5-hour days, though). Even then, it wasn’t unprecedented: apparently, a 16th-century Spanish ordinance limited New World construction workers to eight-hour days. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Hugh Bonneville: ‘I’m no flipping hero – I just don’t like inhumanity when I see it’

Ahead of his appearance at this year’s Henley Literary Festival, the ‘Downton Abbey’ actor sits down with Helen Coffey to discuss his new children’s book, departure from ‘Paddington’, and why he doesn’t regret speaking out about Gaza

Politics

7 d. ago Celebrity SAS Winner Troy Deeney rules out one reality show as he teases potential TV move

Former Watford and Birmingham City striker Troy Deeney, who triumphed on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins earlier this year, has expressed an interest in taking part in another reality TV show

Culture

8 d. ago Victoria Beckham teases Spice Girls reunion as family turn out for Oasis Wembley concert

Victoria Beckham has teased a potential Spice Girls reunion as she and her family attended an Oasis’s final UK show as part of their comeback tour.

Politics

9 d. ago Six stately home scandals to rival Downton Abbey – murderous toffs to Georgian ‘throuple’

Those real-life historical aristocrats could never have got caught up in shenanigans like Downton’s Crawley family, right? Wrong, it turns out. Some of them were really quite naughty

Events

1 week ago A Year at Highclere by The Countess of Carnovan: Hexes and high jinks at the real Downton

Missing Downton Abbey? Take a tour around Highclere Castle - the family home made famous by the iconic TV show.

Politics

2 w. ago Downton Abbey star addresses 'alternate endings' after final Maggie Smith scene

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale saw the hit period drama come to an end with a tribute to Dame Maggie Smith.

Culture

2 w. ago Downton Abbey star reveals 'alternate endings' for final film

The beloved franchise came to an end with a third and final film.

Politics

2 w. ago Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens sparks split rumours as he ditches wedding ring and hasn't been pictured with wife for SEVEN YEARS

The actor, who was best known for playing Matthew Crawley in the period drama, is currently busy promoting his latest film Swiped alongside Lily James .

Politics

2 w. ago Downton Abbey's Hugh Bonneville unrecognisable in new film with Danny Dyer

Kunal Nayyar, Eva Longoria, Billy Porter, Boy George, Danny Dyer and Hugh Bonneville are among the cast of the film Christmas Karma, which is due to be released in November

Politics

2 w. ago Downton Abbey iconic bell wall used to summon servants sells for £216k at auction

An auction of props, costumes, and set pieces from the popular TV show saw all 267 lots sold at a whopping total of £1,735,744.

Economics

3 w. ago ‘Downton Abbey’ star Michelle Dockery shows off her stylish London townhouse—and it’s nothing like Highclere Castle

‘Downton Abbey’ star Michelle Dockery shows off her stylish London townhouse—and it’s nothing like Highclere Castle  MarketWatch

Politics

3 w. ago Julian Fellowes teases potential Downton Abbey spinoffs: ‘Never say never’

Third film in franchise is in theatres now

Politics

3 w. ago Joanne Froggatt reveals what she kept from the set of Downton Abbey

Joanne Froggatt has revealed what she took home from the set of the final Dowton Abbey film and why she asked for permission to keep part of her costume

Politics

3 w. ago Blossoming celeb bumps! From Love Island to Downton Abbey meet the glowing mums

A host of stars are set to become new mums – and while some have waited years, others had a lovely surprise. Here are the blossoming mums who are growing their families

Politics

3 w. ago Downton Abbey movie run time as Grand Finale leaves fans in tears

The final film of the Downton Abbey franchise, directed by Simon Curtis, is now in cinemas.

Sport

3 w. ago Sarah Beeny's fight to save £3m 'mini Downton Abbey' farmhouse continues

The star has been ordered to demolish part of the Somerset property.

Economics

3 w. ago Downton Abbey legend's 'beautiful' period drama with 100% score now streaming

The 1985 film has been hailed as 'utterly delightful'

Sport

3 w. ago Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale hailed ‘utterly beautiful’ as fans ‘thank’ cast and crew

The Grand Finale signals the end of an era

Sport

3 w. ago Downton Abbey castle owners fire subtle dig at certain BBC stars of show

Lord Carnarvon has spoken about what he thinks about some members of the cast and who he gets along with most, but he also hinted that his relationship with others was less close

Events